Best 5 eSports Betting Sites 2020

The number of esports leagues and tournaments are increasing exponentially. Because of this, esports betting has surged in popularity, becoming one of the biggest sectors in the online sports betting industry. This has led to the influx of online esports betting sites.

While some esports companies are just joining the market, sites like Betway took advantage at the onset and has become one of the best esports betting sites today.

Read on to find out more about Betway and the other esports betting sites that are worth checking out. You’ll know more about their pros and cons as well as specific features.

What are the Pros and Cons of Using Esports Betting Sites?

Pros:

An effortless way to earn – One of the biggest advantages of esports betting is that it is an easy way to make money. You will only need to select an infallible betting site, create an account, deposit money and start betting. The best part is that you are in control of the amount to bet and the tournament to join. If you use a reliable site and you win the bet, you will get the full amount promised.

Fun and entertaining – This is another advantage of esports betting. Some sites will enable you to watch the tournaments live, which can be enjoyable, especially if the players are experienced.

Anyone can bet – Another fantastic thing about esports betting is that anyone with an internet connection can place their bets. Right now, there are numerous guides and resources available to help you get started with esports betting.

Cons:

The risks involved – Due to the huge amount of money involved in esports betting, there has been an emergence of malicious sites. These sites lure unsuspecting bettors with enticing bonuses but do not reward them when they win. Other sites go to the extent of selling user’s personal data to third parties. Also, it is essential to understand that every bet does not equate to a win, and you might lose all your money trying to recover from the previous loss.

What are Esports Betting Sites?

Electronic sports (esports) is a form of video gaming that involves a wide variety of game types and genres. So, esports betting is essentially gambling on the outcomes of online tournaments and events.

Initially, gamers would hook up over the LAN or on the internet to play online games for fun. Today, electronic sports have become an enormous industry with professional players that are making a lot of money.

Although the esports betting market is relatively new, a recent study indicates it is now worth over $13 billion. As these games continue to gain prominence by day, the value is expected to increase significantly in the near future. In fact, live tournaments will get more viewers, and the competition money will increase considerably.

How Does Esports Betting Work?

In esports betting, you will have the opportunity to place a bet on various aspects and not just make a win or loss bet. Depending on the game, some of the aspects may include the number of scores, the most valuable player, which team scores first, etc.

Just like in traditional betting, you will still use real money to bet. Also, nowadays, most sites and games are accepting cryptocurrencies as a form of payment.

5 Best Esports Betting Sites

1. Betway

Betway is among the first online gaming sites that embraced esports. One of the signs that prove Betway is a legitimate esports site is its six-figure sponsorship deal with Ninjas in Pyjamas, one of the most popular esports teams.

It was established in 2006 and has been registered and licensed by several regulatory bodies such as the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS), Gambling Commission, and is also a member of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).

On their website, they have an esports blog that provides helpful insights to customers to enable them to make informed decisions.

Betway provides numerous gaming options that will enable you to bet on a full range of tournaments and events. Some of the popular betting options include CS: GO, League of Legends, Defense of the Ancients, Call of Duty, etc.

There are some unique features on the Betway platform that are rare to find in other esports sites. For instance, you can bet on the team that will make the first 10 kills or the player who will win the first map and more.

The site is very easy to use, even for first-timers. All the sports offered are listed on the left column for easier navigation. Although the site is available 24/7, live and in-play bets can only be placed while the tournament or event is taking place.

Most importantly, the site has a live chat button where you can contact the customer support team whenever you encounter any issue or don’t understand anything.

2. Unikrn

Unikrn is one of the most popular esports betting sites with some of the best betting options. Its most noticeable feature is that you can make your payments either by cash or cryptocurrencies.

The best way to bet on the Unikrn site is by betting on the real-time video games. This means you will be able to place your bets as the tournaments and events unfold. The site offers impressive betting markets such as League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Rocket League, Starcraft 2, DOTA 2, etc.

Unikrn welcome incentives are very impressive since they cater to non-cash bettors and those that use real currency. For non-cash players, there are numerous ways of earning gold and silver UniKoins. Almost every action on the site leads to some sort of incentive even for simple tasks such as completing the tutorial. You can use the coins to participate in raffles and even win prize pools. The welcome incentive is much better for cash players, especially those that live in the UK. If they deposit £50 for the first time, they are offered a deposit-matching offer of the same amount. However, there are specific measures that the player must meet before cashing out their winnings.

This esports betting site supports various payment methods. Those that live in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand can make their payments using credits/debits cards and bank transfers. On the downside, Unikrn does not support e-wallets. Nevertheless, the cryptocurrency option is available.

3. Cyber.Bet

Although Cyber.bet was founded recently, it has diverse betting markets, an impressive welcome bonus and lucrative odds. It is a reputable site that aims to provide a safe and easy way to bet on esports.

The first thing you will notice with Cyber.bet is their welcome bonus to new customers. If you are located in one of its supported countries, you will able to get a bonus of up to €10, which comes in the form of a matched deposit deal.

Unlike other esports sites, the Cyber.bet site is extremely easy to use. On the navigation bar on the top of the page, you will get the gaming markets offered. When you scroll a little down, you will get the list of the upcoming matches. In fact, you can sort out the matches by tournaments and events.

Cyber.bet supports a broad range of payment methods that include Visa and MasterCard credit/debit cards, e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller as well as prepaid cards. However, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are not accepted.

The most exciting thing is that you won’t be charged anything to deposit or withdraw your funds. Also, the minimum deposit is quite low at only €5. Furthermore, regardless of the payment method, the minimum withdrawal amount is reasonable at €20, while the maximum withdrawal per transaction is €5000. When trying to withdraw funds for the first time, you will be asked to prove your identity.

4. Buff.bet

Formerly known as Buff88, this esports site was founded in 2018 but rebranded recently to improve its services and provide better betting experience. It is owned and operated by Galaxy Group Limited, which is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands.

New players are given a head-start with a remarkable welcome bonus of up to €100. To claim this bonus, you will have first to make a minimum deposit of €10. After your deposit has been verified, the bonus will be credited in your account, and you can use it to bet on any match.

Buff.bet has made a name for itself for providing lucrative and competitive odds. For instance, in the Evil Genesis game, some reputable brands offer odds of 2.75, while Buf.bet offers a much better price at 3.00.

One of the easiest ways to know whether a gaming site is legitimate is by looking at its customer support services. Buff.bet has a reliable customer service team that is readily available via the live chat option to assist you with any issues you might encounter. Apart from the live chat option, you can also access customer support through an email address. Although they do not have any kind of telephone support, they are active on all major social media platforms.

One of the main updates done during rebranding was the redesigning of the interface. The new interface is not only stylish but also extremely easy to use. It does not have the irritating pop-ups, and you can easily navigate the list of the featured games.

5. Bet365

Bet365 is one of the most diverse esports betting brands with operations in several countries around the world. It provides excellent services such as bonuses, top-notch customer support, mobile platform, etc.

Apart from the stellar gambling services, there are numerous benefits to choosing Bet365. One such benefit is the welcome bonus, which is quite remarkable. The bonus is designed to match your initial deposit up to $100. It is important to note that this is not free money and there are certain requirements you must meet to access the bonus.

How to Choose the Best Esports Betting Site

Here are some of the factors you should consider when looking for the best esports betting site.

Quality licensing

You should choose an esports betting site that is licensed in an established jurisdiction.

Keep in mind that some jurisdictions have strict requirements for obtaining a license. The UK is regarded to have the best regulations for gaming sites. For instance, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) requires applicants to go through a thorough process before obtaining the license. Also, they do not hesitate to penalize sites that violate their regulations. So, before depositing your money on any site, conduct more research on their operations and ensure they are licensed.

Good betting variety

The experience on esports sites is much better when there are more betting options.

Most esports sites categorize betting options based on the bet type, competition format, etc. Some of the popular games covered by most sites include Counter-Strike Global Offensive (CGSO), Overwatch, DOTA 2, League of the Legends, etc.

Bonus

Due to increased competition, most esports sites offer various deals to new customers.

The most common deals are sign-up bonuses and free bets. In most cases, the sign-up bonuses are provided as a certain percentage of the deposit amount. For instance, if you deposit $25 and the site offers a 100% match bonus up to $50, you are eligible for a $25 bonus. However, for you to qualify for the bonus, you have to meet the site’s terms and conditions.

On the other hand, a free bet will give you a free chance on a single bet. For example, if an esports site offers you a $25 free bet, you will be able to risk $25 on the house. Thus, you should choose an esports betting site that offers the best deals.

Variety of payment options

Most esports sites support a wide range of deposit methods such as credit/debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers and cryptocurrencies. However, other sites allow only limited payment options. Therefore, choose an esports site that offers your preferred payment options.

Good customer support

Look for an esports site with reliable customer support to help you with issues you might encounter.

Apart from being available all the time, the customer agent should be knowledgeable and friendly. This will enable you to feel comfortable while seeking help and satisfied that your issues will be solved in the right way.

Conclusion

Esports betting has evolved tremendously in the last decade and has disrupted the online betting industry. Most traditional sportsbooks have been forced to introduce esports betting in their operations. As technology continues to advance and the internet becoming cheaper and accessible, we can expect esports betting to become even more popular.

FAQs

What is the difference between regular online sports betting and esports?

There is no huge difference between esports betting and other online sports betting. Selecting stakes and making bets is the same. In addition, if you win a bet on esports, your winnings will be remitted with the same expediency as traditional betting. Actually, most sites offer traditional online betting alongside esports betting.

How do people bet on esports?

Bettors make a bet based on several aspects such as the number of scores, the most valuable player, which team scores first, etc. The idea of betting on a player or a team involved in a computer game may sound illogical for those that have never heard about esports. Nonetheless, esports gaming is a huge industry that is gaining popularity at a rapid rate.

What are the most popular esports games?

Currently, there are numerous games involved with esports gaming. In the recent past, esports tournaments have been attracting millions of watchers from around the world. Some of the most popular esports games include Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO), Starcraft 2, Smite, Overwatch, Hearthstone, etc.

How much should I know about esports gaming to start betting?

To start and succeed in esports betting, you should have basic knowledge about esports gaming. In fact, the more you know, the higher your chances of making accurate predictions.

Is esports legal?

The legality of esports betting will depend on your country. Every country has its laws and regulations regarding online gambling. So, confirm whether it is illegal in your country before you start betting.

About Andrew

Andrew has been writing about the gambling industry for more than five years, covering everything from sports betting to casinos and poker. With the sector constantly evolving, he loves nothing better than staying up to date with the latest movers and shakers in the space.